Area Attractions

Our community took a ride to Downtown Beckley for the Grand Opening Open House & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Beckley Welcome Center - Information & Volunteer Hub / Bike Share & Rentals

Located on Prince Street at the Robert C Byrd Drive Intersection (across for McDonald's) the new Hub Center will operate as a welcoming place to greet visitors to our area with information and soon bike rental opportunities for exploring our area along the adjacent McManus Trail.

BECKLEY, W.Va. — A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house took place in Beckley on Friday for the grand opening of the city’s new visitor center and bike sharing service.

The site on the corner of West Prince Street and Robert C. Byrd Drive originally was a Studebaker shop in the 1930’s and had been vacant for several years.

In addition to information and brochures about the Beckley area, the facility will provide a bike rental hub, beginning next spring, for visitors and residents who want to ride nearby McManus Trail, which has an access point directly across the street from the welcome center.

Mayor Rob Rappold said the opening of the center goes hand in hand with the city’s ongoing downtown revitalization effort, which includes the recent opening of a state-of-the-art police headquarters and construction work currently taking place at a nearby vacant lot that, over the years, has become known as “the hole.”

“Our Board of Public Works did a beautiful job. We totally rewired the building to make it safe, and it’s ADA (Americans with Disablities) compliant,” Rappold told MetroNews. “I wish I could take credit for it but this is (Beckley Welcome Center Volunteer Director) Vickie Webb’s vision. All the colors and all the decorations that you see were because of her efforts.”

For the time being, the center will be staffed by community volunteers but Rappold said a city employee may be part of the mix by next spring, when the number of visitors and the frequency of bike rentals for the trail are expected to increase.

The access street adjacent to the property has been renamed Naff Lane, in honor of the building’s original owner.

Among those partnering in the development and operation of the welcome center are the Downtown Beckley Business Association, the New River Gorge Regional Development Authority, Active Southern WV, the Beckley Art Center, Visit WV and Piney Creek Watershed.

New Adventure
Congratulations ACE
Adventure Resort on the Opening of your new Festival Grounds and Thank
You for inviting us to be a part of the celebration.

We very much enjoyed our time at ACE; touring the new Festival Venue /
Campground on the mountain top, listening to the music played by some of
our favorite bands, relaxing by the lake while networking with friends
and eating your award-winning wood-fired pizza.

Thank you for Fayette County Chamber of Commerce for partnering with us
for a great Business After Hours giving our member representatives the
opportunity to visit ACE to find out about all the Adventures they have
to offer.

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
Every April another Season Opens at Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and Youth Museum of Southern WV

What started out as just a short underground tour has evolved into a cultural journey back into early West Virginia mining history. Now our visitors can tour the underground coal mine, as well as visit the restored buildings of the Coal Camp, the Rahall General Store and Museum, the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia and the pioneer village, The Mountain Homestead.”

Each season opens with the annual Sunrise Easter Service in the Pemberton Coal Camp Church that was relocated to the Exhibition Coal Mine. The service begins at 6:00 am and then the Mine will officially open for the season at 10:00 am.

Listed on many travel websites as a destination not to be missed, the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine hosts about 40,000 visitors a year. Visitors come from all over. In the spring and fall we have hundreds of school children that come on field trips and then during the summer months we see mostly tourist from out-of-state.

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, is the largest and most popular coal heritage destination in the region and now includes a 14,000 sq. foot Company Store, visitor center, coal museum, fudgery and gift shop. The Exhibition Coal Mine is the site for the October Sky Rocket Boys Festival featuring West Virginia author Homer Hickam held the first weekend in October.

The Rahall Company Store houses the extensive collection of mining artifacts and tools, geological specimens, photographs, and other features of early life among the coal towns of West Virginia.

The main attraction is an actual tour that takes visitors below ground, under the supervision of an experienced veteran coal miner. Traveling 1,500 feet beneath the hillsides of New River Park, visitors ride underground on rail cars called a “man trip” from the mine entrance to old working areas of the coal mine. Stops throughout the tour explore the history of low-seam coal mining from the hand-loading days into the era of modern mechanization.

Visitors can also explore the historical coal camp situated throughout the grounds including the Coal Company House, Superintendent’s House, Pemberton Coal Camp Church, and the Helen Coal Camp School all giving guests a true representation of early 20th century coal camp life.

The Exhibition Mine has some new educational components that has been added in conjunction with the Friends of Coal to bring high definition videos into certain areas of the Mine experience. This enables us to include current information on the coal industry and modern 21st century mining techniques.”

The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine also has a wonderful selection of coal figurines, West Virginia crafts, freshly made fudge, and other souvenirs available in their gift shop.

The Youth Museum, located next door to the Exhibition Coal Mine hosts exhibitions each year as well. The Exhibition Coal Mine and the Youth Museum are located in the New River Park in the heart of Beckley. Hours are daily, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. The last tour goes underground at 5:30 pm. It’s always 58 degrees underground so bring a jacket. For more information on rates and tours check the website at City of Beckley and click on the Exhibition Coal Mine or the Youth Museum link or call 304-256-1747.

Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia
Just steps away from the Exhibition Coal Mine, the Youth Museum of Southern West Virginia is open to the public year round and available at any time for pre-arranged tour groups.

The Youth Museum’s central exhibit area features different interactive educational exhibits. In 2015, the Museum will present the totally interactive exhibit, Science and Art. New exhibits are rotated through the museum twice a year.

Group tours include a visit to the Museum’s planetarium where seasonal programs highlight constellations, planets and special celestial events.

Throughout the year the Museum conducts workshops, classes and special events such as Kids Fest, Tailgate Halloween and Coal Town Christmas.

A permanent exhibit, “Puzzle Quest” is a favorite with school children and families alike. Brightly colored stations feature a variety of mind benders guaranteed to challenge even the most experienced problem solver.

Behind the Museum’s main building, stands the Mountain Homestead. Developed to enrich history studies, the Museum has recreated a typical settlement on the Appalachian frontier.

Both the Exhibition Coal Mine and the Youth Museum have gift shops offering unique coal figurines, homemade fudge, traditional and educational toys, local crafts, and books.

Tamarack with its unique retail artisan products and extraordinary food fare started out as a simple vision to promote the Mountain State’s wonderful image. Wildly popular after nearly 20 years, Tamarack greets hundreds of thousands of guests annually with a memorable experience.Original and Handmade Retail
Tamarack’s highly acclaimed display team creates multiple visual effects using products created by a variety of artisans. Trends and traditions, as well as unusual specialty products are among the long list of artisan made Tamarack items. Metal, apparel, jewelry, souvenirs, wood, glass, furniture, pottery, outdoor decor, fine art, fine craft, musical instrument, music, books, and homemade specialty food items and candies are all on the Tamarack shopping list.

Food Court/Restaurant
Tamarack’s food court is one restaurant with many facets: a deli for sandwiches, soups and salads; a grill for full meals and entrees; a bakery for sweet treats. Every item is made fresh while you wait. Among our many favorites are the fried green tomato sandwich and the rainbow trout. Carry out is available. Call ahead or order on-site.

Conference Center
Not an ordinary meeting space, Tamarack’s Conference Center is well decorated to create a perfect backdrop for special occasions, but is also up-to-date behind the scenes to make every meeting a success. Buffets, sit down dinners, meeting breaks, special themed menus, and more make the dining portion of your event one that’s both memorable and fitting.

Theater
Every [email protected] Tamarack welcomes guests to a free live performance. Throughout the year plays, dance performances, seminars, guest speakers, theater camp, movies, music, competitions and more are scheduled into the 178-seat facility, which may be rented by groups or individuals. Named after former Governor Hulett C. Smith, the theater is well-known for it’s acoustic perfection. Check out 'What's Happening' for the most up-to-date schedule of events.

Fine Arts Gallery
Fine art and fine craft, as well as paintings, photography, mixed media work and other stunning and imaginative pieces are on display and for sale in the David L. Dickirson Fine Arts Gallery. Six shows a year focus on themes which bring out the best in West Virginia’s artists.

Studio Artisans
You’ve got to see it to believe it sometimes. Tamarack’s artisans at work demonstrate their talents to our guests by allowing them to watch them work while asking questions. Glass, wood, pottery, and fine art are featured. From April until November, other artisans also work at Tamarack in the retail area to showcase their talents and products.

Tourist Information
If you enjoy a personal, well-informed guide, Tamarack’s tourist information staff has an answer for every question. Ask for a local or state map, brochures and/or rack cards from all of West Virginia's attractions, and information about fairs, festivals and special events. The staff knows road conditions and travel times. And, they've traveled to many of the state's noteworthy places and eateries.

Open Daily. Exit 45 I-77/64 Beckley, West Virginia.

TAMARACK: The Best of West Virginia
One Tamarack Park, Beckley, WV 25801
304-256-6843 OR 1-88-TAMARACK (888-262-7225)www.tamarackwv.com

Theatre West Virginia
Theatre West Virginia was founded in 1955 as a means to preserve and promote West Virginia history and to promote tourism. Its mission is to produce, present, and administer the highest quality performing arts programs for the entertainment and cultural enrichment of the public in West Virginia.

For the past 55 years the theatre has presented outdoor dramas at the amphitheater at Grandview. Theatre West Virginia also carries out its mission through their arts in education programs in the schools and the company’s Professional Training Academy.

The theatre has become a cornerstone of tourism in Raleigh County by providing quality entertainment for its visitors while providing cultural opportunities and preserving the unique history of the community they serve.

Beckley? A Baseball Destination? Absolutely!
What has transpired at Linda K. Epling Stadium over the past few years has been nothing short of amazing. Since the state-of-the-art facility was christened in 2010, it has hosted baseball for local middle school and high school athletes providing our youth an opportunity to play on a field and in a facility that is modern and allows for their athletic and physical development to prosper like never before. But it hasn’t stopped there. The Beckley-based West Virginia Miners, operated by the Epling family, made an immediate splash in the Prospect League. The Miners reached the championship finals in their first year and hosted the league’s All-Star game in its second season. Winning the league championship in 2012 and 2013 is a tremendous accomplishment. Talented collegiate players from all over the country come in for a few months each summer to play for the Miners, while providing great, affordable family entertainment in Beckley.

Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park
Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park is considered the “Gate-way to Outdoor Adventures in Southern West Virginia”. The park is open year-round and located just outside of Sophia, West Virginia; it is situated on 10,000 acres of land and offers over 100 miles of trails.

There are trails for every type of rider. For those who just want to take it easy try out our green trails, where you can enjoy the magnificent view from the mountain tops and the vast amount of wildlife that you just can’t miss. If you’re into a little more excitement test out the blue trails with massive mud holes and winding trails. For those of you that are more adventurous and like to test their skills, there are hill climbs and narrow winding trails that go up steep mountains only to drop off the other side.

The 70 acre trail head is located just fifteen minutes from Beckley, WV, the location of numerous hotels and restaurants to suit nearly everyone’s taste. The trail head is equipped with a general store, pavilion, campground, rustic cabins, RV hookups, a GLAMP site and a Platform tent, and shower/restroom facilities.

In addition Burning Rock has added an ATV wash rack and loading/unloading ramp. The general store can handle all of your basic needs from food and beverages to gear and supplies.

If you don’t have an ATV but would like to test out the trail system there are ATV rentals available at the general store; just call ahead to make a reservation.
In the summer of 2010, the longest and fastest dual racing zip line on the east coast opened to the public at the Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park. The zip lines are 2,500 feet long and drop 330 feet in elevation reaching speeds up to 60 miles an hour.

You can contact Burning Rock Outdoor Adventure Park at 304-683-9242 or on the web at www.burningrockwv.com For reservations, call 304-683-9240

Winterplace Ski Resort

Tucked away in wild, wonderful West Virginia is one of the premier winter recreation areas in the Southeast: Winterplace Ski Resort, where winter is fun for everyone!

Winterplace the most accessible, affordable ski resort in the Southeast - it is easy to get to - just 2 minutes off Interstate 77, at Exit 28, between Beckley & Bluefield, West Virginia. With a state-of-the-art automated snowmaking system – covering 100% of the area, you can be sure of plenty of snow even when there’s none in your backyard!

Winterplace offers 27 trails, two terrain parks, nine lifts that take you to the top fast and one of the East’s largest dedicated teaching areas with two Super Carpet lifts!

Night ski for free with the purchase of an all day lift ticket. When the sun goes down, our slopes light up until 10pm every night! We offer the longest skiing day in the Southeast, 14 hours on weekends and holidays and 13 hours on weekdays. If you’re looking for outdoor winter fun and excitement, Winterplace is the place to be!

If you have never skied or snowboarded, Winterplace’s Learn-To-Ski or Learn-To-Board packages are fun and guaranteed to have you skiing or boarding in no time! Want to brush up on your moves? We offer group and private lessons for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Bring your own equipment or choose from our huge fleet of top of the line skis and snowboards at the Winterplace Rental Shop.

Ride the largest snowtubing park in West Virginia with 14 lanes of family fun serviced by 2 Super Carpet lifts, everyone will enjoy snowtubing at Winterplace. It’s fun for the whole family…. You provide the laughs and smiles and Winterplace provides the tubes and the ride to the top!

Southern Raleigh County might seem a strange place to find a winery, but Daniel Vineyards has quickly become an example of the success of vintners in the region, thanks in part to increased tourism. Twining slowly through low hills of the central county, the vines tended by Dr. Richard Daniel have grown to provide more than two dozen vintages in less than a decade. Though the winery meets a local demand, it’s now a return stop for out-of-state visitors.